Putin really wants to divide Europe and America: Zelenskyy

Paris: Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to "divide" Europe and America, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a European summit in Paris on Thursday.

"He really wants to divide Europe and America, Putin really wants that," Zelenskyy said, adding Kyiv wants Washington to be "stronger" towards the Kremlin.

Ukraine's allies from across Europe gathered for talks in Paris on Thursday about how to strengthen Kyiv's hand and its military as it pushes for a ceasefire with Russia, and to consider proposals to deploy European troops in the country in tandem with any peace deal.

French President Emmanuel Macron was hosting the leaders of nearly 30 countries plus NATO and European Union chiefs. The summit comes at a crucial juncture in the more than three-year war, with intensifying diplomatic efforts to broker ceasefires, driven by pressure from US President Donald Trump to end the fighting.

But the conflict is raging on. Russian drone attacks overnight before the leaders met in the luxury of the French presidential palace injured more than 20 people, Ukrainian officials said.